Politics
Royal Thai Navy Selects Hanwha Ocean for New Frigate Project
The Royal Thai Navy has officially selected South Korea's Hanwha Ocean to construct a new high-performance frigate for 16.73 billion baht.
On September 18, 2026, the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) announced that South Korean firm Hanwha Ocean has been selected to build a new high-performance frigate. The project, valued at 16.73 billion baht, is part of the Navy’s long-term force development plan as outlined in its white paper.
Admiral Pairoj Fuangchan, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Navy, stated that the selection process was conducted with transparency and fairness, prioritizing the national interest. The contract covers the construction of one frigate, including all necessary systems, equipment, spare parts, training, and maintenance support, staying within the total budget ceiling of 17 billion baht.
For residents and travelers, this development signifies a major modernization effort for Thailand’s maritime defense capabilities. The new vessel is designed to operate across three dimensions of naval warfare, enhancing the country's ability to secure its territorial waters. While the selection has been finalized, specific details regarding the construction timeline and the exact delivery date of the vessel to the Thai fleet remain to be confirmed by the Navy in future updates. The project is expected to bolster the operational readiness of the Royal Thai Navy in the coming years.
